Bodyline - Why was it named as such and by who ?

 

The name 'Bodyline' became a popular name for the type of bowling witnessed in the 1932 - 33 ashes series thanks to one man, or was it ? A journalist named Hugh Buggy, who also happened to be a colleague of cricketer Jack Fingleton, sent a telegram to his newspaper after a days play at the Test. The term 'Bodyline' was used as a substitute for 'In the line of the body' apparently to keep the cost down his end when sending the telegram. A more popular opinion is that he did it to condense his match report and it wasn't long before other reporters and critics started using the terminology. The late Jack Worrall claimed that he had invented the name, but whoever did, it only become famous after it appeared in Hugh Buggy's column.

 

Within weeks, Bodyline made it's way into normal society, way beyond cricketing circles, it's use pointing to underhand or 'below the belt' comments or actions. The word and its implications nauseated everyone in Australia. It was a period of unrest between Australia and the 'mother country'. Feelings and opinions were divided equally, all dependant on where you were from. To Australians - the English were cheating, unsportsmanlike and Bodyline was the only way to win the Test series. To the English and M.C.C. - the Australian team was so inferior to their counterparts that any excuse offered them to complain, they took full advantage.

 

It is impossible to put into words here on this web site the feelings and tension witnessed during the great depression in Australia at this time, certainly not for someone like myself that wasn't even born then. I will attempt over time to write as much as I can on this website to 'set the record straight' and educate people to the truth that surrounded Bodyline.

 

One of the most reported incidents of this famous series was when Sir Pelham Warner entered the Australian dressing room with Mr Palairet to speak with the Australian captain, Bill Woodfull. Today, over 70 years after the event, we are still not certain as to who leaked the story of this 'private' meeting between the two camps. In his book 'Cricket between the wars', Warner insinuates that 'a professional member of the Australian Press and member of the Australian Eleven was present at the time, and the next day the story was blazoned all over the newspapers'. It is clear from this, that Warner blamed Jack Fingleton for the leak as he was the only professional journalist present. Another point of interest is the fact that the room was full of players and not just the two or three as implied by the video 'Bodyline'. Jack Fingleton refuted these claims, but to him and many of his peers, the damage was done.

 

It wasn't until his book 'Cricket Crisis' came out that Fingleton refuted these claims in ink. He claimed 'I know who gave the Woodfull - Warner story to the press (Unlike Sir Pelham, I have the evidence) but, apart from writing to Warner and telling him he was wrong, there was little else I could do!' However during my research and talking with Sir Donald's publsher Tom thompson in Sydney, Tom was told by Bradman that it was Les O'Brien that leaked the story to the press and not Don. Donald refuted these claims made by Fingleton that it was he that passed on the story.

 

One thing is certain, had Bradman not been playing Test cricket (or someone of his exceptional skill and stature) then Bodyline would not have existed or been necessary at that time. There is also another point to consider (also raised by Fingleton). If Bradman had been English, would the Australian's have devised a tactic such as Bodyline or Fast Leg Theory. I personally believe that they would have, however if the Australian captain at the time had been another gentleman such as Woodfull, then my answer would be no. He would not have allowed it, as retaliation was not a consideration after the Adelaide Test in 1933.